Response to Musings of a Pertinacious Papist: Isn't It Nearly Heresy Today To Question The Divine Mercy Devotion?

On Twitter today, I saw a disturbing tweet from Philip Blosser, the Pertinacious Papist, claiming that my favorite devotion, that of the Divine Mercy, is possibly heretical. (See: his article).

This just made me sad, but I want to examine it.  It is an honest question, after all.

What happened between 1958 to now?

The first I heard of any condemnation by the Church was through Fr. Michael Gaitley. (See: The Greatest Story Ever Told.) However, Fr. Gaitley showed how Pope John Paul II, then Cardinal Wojtyla, demonstrated that the prohibitions were made erroneously due to translation issues. The prohibition was reversed in 1978.

"Twenty years later (in 1978), the ban was completely lifted, thanks to the intervention of the Archbishop of Krakow, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla. Through his efforts, an informative process relating to the life and virtues of Sister Faustina was begun in 1965. Its successful outcome led to the inauguration of her Beatification cause in 1968.

In a new "Notification" on April 15, 1978, the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, having reviewed many original documents that were not made available to it in 1959, reversed its earlier decision and declared the 1959 prohibition 'no longer binding.'

Six months later, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla became Pope John Paul II.

Prompted by the pastoral concern of His Excellency, Joseph F. Maguire, Bishop of Springfield, MA, with regard to the resuming of efforts to make the Divine Mercy message and devotion known, the Congregation of Marians asked for an authoritative explanation of the Notification of 1978. On July 12, 1979, they received a reply from the Prefect of the Sacred Congregation, stating that ‘there no longer exists, on the part of this Sacred Congregation, any impediment to the spreading of the devotion to The Divine Mercy in the authentic forms proposed by the religious Sister mentioned above [Sister Faustina Kowalska]."

Thus, in 1979 — with the local bishop’s permission — the Marians resumed their work of spreading the Divine Mercy message and devotion in the forms proposed by Sr. Faustina. The response from laity, priests, and bishops all over the world has been overwhelming, and the devotion has grown faster than anyone ever expected. " http://thedivinemercy.org/message/history/marianconnect.php

From what I understand, the last three Popes approve the Devotion to the Divine Mercy:

November 30, 1980

Pope John Paul II issues encyclical on the Divine Mercy.

May 7, 2006  Pope Benedict approves Divine Mercy

April 7, 2013  Pope Francis Respects Devotion to Divine Mercy

Pope John Paul II to be canonized on Divine Mercy Sunday


Is there conflict between all the devotions and Divine Mercy?

A general search online seems to show some support that the Divine Mercy undermines the Rosary, the devotion to the Sacred Heart, as well as others.

However, Sic Semper Tyrannis argues that: "Because what I arrived at was that there is only one devotion to our Lord, and all of these many different devotions were merely different ways of arriving at the same goal of worshiping our Lord.  There can be no contradiction between the Sacred Heart Devotion, and that of the Divine Mercy for they are all the same devotion at their core. But any devotion can be twisted and misunderstood and I submit that this what has happened with the Divine Mercy Devotion and that has caused it to be used to wipe away devotion to the Sacred Heart, the Rosary, and even Eucharistic Adoration. 

"All three of these devotions when practiced properly draw you inexorably to the foot of the Cross there to kneel beside our Lady and Saint John.  There you will adore His Most Sacred Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity and His Holy (Eucharistic) Face.  There you will see Saint Longinus pierce the most Sacred Heart of our Lord, and you will see him showered with the merciful saving Blood and Water which comes forth from the pierced side of Jesus.  Here we have the all of the great devotions to our Lord: to the Sacred Heart, the Precious Blood, the Eucharist, the Holy Face, and the Divine Mercy."

In my personal experience, I have found that my devotions to the Rosary and Sacred Heart have actually increased.  I haven't encountered any contradiction.

Is Divine Mercy Sunday a Protestant ideology?

One of the main requirements of the indulgence is sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of Supreme Pontiff. 

This indicates to me that penance is required. Our sins aren't merely "covered". 

Also, the indulgence requires:
"a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honour of Divine Mercy, or who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!");"

In other words, the "sinner" would have to have the second degree of humility as laid out by St. Ignatius. That's a huge commitment to living every day in focused holiness!

What do I think?

The possibility of heresy is daunting and promotes doubt--which is unsettling.  It is also a reminder that all private revelation should be carefully considered. 

I also don't know the answers to some objections that I found in a "general" search.

Nevertheless, as I continue to study this, I am asking myself: what is this devotion doing to my faith? Has my love of God and neighbor improved or deteriorated because of it? 

I think that if this devotion causes me to fall away from God or wrongly think and act against my neighbor, I should stay away from it. 

However, I have found that this devotion has helped me to love better -- in fact, it prompted a deep reversion and genuine repentance in me.  It has taught me about mercy, forgiveness and love.

It has brought me to the foot of the Cross with the desire to surrender my all to Jesus. Obviously, I have to recommit to this daily, and this with my devotion to the Immaculate Conception has given me the courage and desire to mimic Mary's fiat.

Since the devotion is: 1) currently approved by the Vatican; and 2) a source that has personally brought me closer to God, I will continue to spread my love for the Divine Mercy. 

"Jesus, I trust in You."